Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / October 2007

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Rename "turn signals?"

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Don Stauffer in Minnesota - 13 Oct 2007 14:45 GMT
I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
It is getting to be the norm that folks put the signal on AFTER they
begin their turn- that is, the car is changing directions when they
turn them on. One does not NEED a signal at that point- it is obvious
that the car is turning.

The driving schools seem to be falling down on teaching this. I even
see large truck drivers and police officers doing it this way!
the fly - 13 Oct 2007 21:45 GMT
>I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
>It is getting to be the norm that folks put the signal on AFTER they
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>The driving schools seem to be falling down on teaching this. I even
>see large truck drivers and police officers doing it this way!

    WHAT driving schools?  Most North Americans think that driving
amounts to jamming a key into a lock and mashing the accelerator pedal
tot he floor.  Their minds are never engaged in the process.
    We could use some discipline in the matter of driver training
and licensing.
Bruce W. Ellis - 15 Oct 2007 05:46 GMT
>>I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
>>It is getting to be the norm that folks put the signal on AFTER they
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>    We could use some discipline in the matter of driver training
>and licensing.

When one sees the turn signal flashing, all one knows for sure is that
the turn signal signals work.
cuhulin@webtv.net - 15 Oct 2007 05:51 GMT
I always put my turn signals on about 200 feet before I get ready to
turn the steering wheel and make my turn.But you are right, some people
pay no attention to turn signals at all.
cuhulin
Don Stauffer in Minnesota - 15 Oct 2007 14:37 GMT
On Oct 14, 11:51 pm, cuhu...@webtv.net wrote:
> I always put my turn signals on about 200 feet before I get ready to
> turn the steering wheel and make my turn.But you are right, some people
> pay no attention to turn signals at all.
> cuhulin

Some state laws require 400 or 500 feet.  Probably too much for urban
areas.  Still, driving schools should teach that state's laws.

Someone said "what driving schools?"  In many states now teens must
pass driver's ed before they can apply for a license.  Maybe some
states have no drivers schools or drivers ed, but I suspect they are
few.
John S. - 15 Oct 2007 15:38 GMT
On Oct 13, 9:45 am, Don Stauffer in Minnesota <stauf...@usfamily.net>
wrote:
> I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
> It is getting to be the norm that folks put the signal on AFTER they
> begin their turn- that is,

Where do you live that it is the norm or standard driver
behaviour????  It occurs sure, but the norm?  C'mon....

> the car is changing directions when they
> turn them on. One does not NEED a signal at that point- it is obvious
> that the car is turning.
>
> The driving schools seem to be falling down on teaching this. I even
> see large truck drivers and police officers doing it this way!

This could be an opportunity to increase police enforcement.  Yes,
lets ticket them all for failing to signal the proper number of feet
before turning.  And while were at it lets vigorously enforce the
existing speed limits.

Given that we all know the following about flashing lights:
1.  Light flashing means the vehicle may move to the right.
2.  Light flashing on left means the vehicle may move to the left.
3.  Both lights flashing at once means the vehicle may be in trouble
and may stop.

I do not see any benefit in tripling the number of words needed to
describe a turn.
Nate Nagel - 16 Oct 2007 14:01 GMT
> On Oct 13, 9:45 am, Don Stauffer in Minnesota <stauf...@usfamily.net>
> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Where do you live that it is the norm or standard driver
> behaviour????  It occurs sure, but the norm?  C'mon....

Washington, D.C. - if it's not the norm it's simply because a
significant number of people don't use them at all.

>>the car is changing directions when they
>>turn them on. One does not NEED a signal at that point- it is obvious
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> lets ticket them all for failing to signal the proper number of feet
> before turning.  

I could dream.  However it appears that the vast majority of police
officers are unaware that turn signals are required, much less how to
use them properly.

> And while were at it lets vigorously enforce the
> existing speed limits.

How about FIX the speed limits?

nate

> Given that we all know the following about flashing lights:
> 1.  Light flashing means the vehicle may move to the right.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>  I do not see any benefit in tripling the number of words needed to
> describe a turn.

Signature

replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Don Stauffer in Minnesota - 16 Oct 2007 15:01 GMT
> Where do you live that it is the norm or standard driver
> behaviour????  It occurs sure, but the norm?  C'mon....

Minnesota.  Maybe I am selectively noticing, but I really do think
that it is more norm than exception here.  As I say, even the police
and commercial drivers do it.

Like driving on the left. On four-lane roads, in Minnesota most
traffic drives to the left- the right lane is for passing.
Steve - 15 Oct 2007 16:25 GMT
> I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.

I respectfully submit that a better name would be, "Go ahead and cut me
off a.shole" signals. :-/
spamTHISbrp@yahoo.com - 16 Oct 2007 17:10 GMT
> > I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
>
> I respectfully submit that a better name would be, "Go ahead and cut me
> off a.shole" signals. :-/

In CT this was quite true.

Dave
Steve - 16 Oct 2007 18:15 GMT
>>>I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Dave

The more I travel by air, the more I realize how different driving
styles are around the country. I don't notice it when I *drive* across
the country because the change is slow, but flying in, renting a car,
and driving around sure makes it clear. I live in Central Texas, and
people drive very fast but aren't terribly cut-throat. They do tend to
see a turn signal as a challenge to grab the space before the signaller
can complete the maneuver, though. :-p When I fly to the east coast, I
feel like I'm way too meek in my driving habits. Driving in the
Mass/RI/CT  area is truly a contest won by the person who can avoid eye
contact the longest, never use a signal, and stick his fender in deepest
without bobbling ;-) On the other hand, I never can believe how mild
drivers in the Seattle/Tacoma area are. It takes me a few days of
tooling around there (using signals, moving over for merging traffic,
never driving more than 2-3 mph over the limit even in the "fast" lane!)
before I stop feeling like a barracuda in a koi pond.
cuhulin@webtv.net - 16 Oct 2007 18:23 GMT
I was only guessing at about 200 feet when I put my turn signals on.My
reflexes aren't what they used to be and I have slowed wayyyyyyy down
over the years.That is why when I go shopping, I stay on the slow poke
old back roads.If I am doing 50 miles per hour or more, that is
wayyyyyyy too fast for me.My average speed on those old back roads is
from about 30 mph to about 40 to 45 miles per hour.I like it that way
too.
cuhulin
cuhulin@webtv.net - 17 Oct 2007 01:54 GMT
Montana and Texas didn't used to have any (or hardly any) speed limits
out of the towncities.One time in 1993 I visited Mexico for five days on
my vacation.I got back across the U.S.border and I drove to Houston.I
don't remember what the name of that fast express way is, the name of it
starts with the letter K, sort of a German name, I think.I had to get
off of that expressway, I took an exit that leads to a mall.
cuhulin
Calvin - 15 Oct 2007 19:26 GMT
On Oct 13, 8:45 am, Don Stauffer in Minnesota <stauf...@usfamily.net>
wrote:
> I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.
> It is getting to be the norm that folks put the signal on AFTER they
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> The driving schools seem to be falling down on teaching this. I even
> see large truck drivers and police officers doing it this way!

Here in Chicago you could call if the Fair Warning signal.  If you get
3 blinks during rush hour consider yourself well-treated.  Things
happen too quickly for distances measured in hundreds of feet.  That
may work on the open road but in bumper-to-bumper traffic when you
need to cross 3 lanes to get to your exit the driver's manual goes out
the window pretty quickly.  It's funny to see the big difference
between locals and those from out of state in how they react to such
treatment.  It's just a part of driving in some places.

Calvin
hls - 17 Oct 2007 01:28 GMT
>I think we need to rename "turn" signals to "intent-to-turn" signals.

I believe they have been traditionally called 'turn indicator' signals.
Nothing is foolproof when you are working with fools.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.